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A washing machine is an electrical machine designed to clean laundry,
such as clothes and other household textile such as bed sheets and
towels. The term is usually restricted to machines that use water
as the primary cleaning method, opposed to say dry cleaning who
use a different cleaning fluid. Early washing machines go back to
around 1768, but present day most washing machines are powered by
electricity. And the automatic home washing machine became popular
by around the 1960s. By this time the machines were advanced enough
to control the water and soap intake, and the draining and rotation
sequence of the drum. Many also contained different types of cycles
to handle different materials such as wool and cotton. Present day
most washing machines come in two main configurations, "top
loading" or "front loading". With the "front
loading" design being most popular in Europe, and the "top
loading" design most popular in America. Apart from the difference
in design, both these configurations actually use their sources
of energy differently.
front loading
top loading
Some things to consider
When buying a washing machine online it is always important to
check for the spin efficiency. This feature determines how much
electricity the machine will use, and can therefore save you money
if it has a good spin efficiency grade. Site such as Comet provide
these details online.
Auto half load automatically adjusts water level for smaller loads,
saving water, time and money. Many new versions of washing machines
have this feature such as the Dyson CR01W Flowcheck.
Economy wash produces a lower temperature wash which saves you
money. Plenty of average price washing machines now come with this
feature. Very useful if you wish to save money from reduced electricity
and water bills.
Silk wash has an extra low temperature wash with gentle wash programme
for delicate silk items. This feature will help keep your silk clothes
and underwear in the condition bought. Before many silk items had
to be hand washed, so if you have silk items then this feature is
useful to look out for.
Top spec machines now come with an advanced woolcare technology.
Many of the new Dyson machines come with a gentle 2 drum wash action
cares for your wool and delicate clothes wash after wash. Very few
other brands of machines offer this feature so if you care about
your wool clothes and items a Dyson washing machine may be the answer.
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